Bait and Switch

Caught and netted while out at sea
hauled overboard amidst sea spray under azure sky
amongst other grubs and seabed dregs
bundled, bagged,
from one jostled cramped net to another crowded bag
destination unknown
while the background sea calls home,
bumped and banged hither and thither in transport
whether by waves or wheels it could not be known
tipped unceremoniously into a new container
though actually old judging by the rust,
sloping metal walls sending inevitably downwards
there to stay,
trapped,
pressed against glass
for all the world to see and
all the world to see while imprisoned
advertised bait advertising death;
foul fate to be naught but fish food
just another lure in a long line
pursuing an ever larger catch
all in the name of contest and cash;
set to be a soul sold in slavery
where owners and buyers
uncaring and indifferent
to the small miracles of life before them,
the machine one of torture
with the sight of the sea
so close yet so very far away
resigned to die for an unknown cause,
a shadow forms and envelopes over
heralding the path to change
fingers fumble for coins:
clink, clank
turn the knob,
have your bucket ready
and out pours bait
who can but wriggle in confinement
as worms and maggots are wont to writhe
perhaps their last fleeting free movement
before hook line and sinker,
sun's brightness obscures the carrier
little can be gleaned
apart from their loping gait
the sound of the seashore
and seagull squawks far but not far enough away,
sudden thump down onto wood
not even a short walk to punctuate the end,
before abruptly airborne again
suddenly tipping
welcome water rushes in whilst bait streams out once again into the sea.
Somewhere a child looks on blankly proud
before an adult chastises their thoughtless waste
meanwhile worms emit thanks
and something great smiles favourably.